NUGATORY Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'nugatory' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of nugatory are empty , hollow , idle , otiose , and vain . While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance. // a monarch with nugatory powers

Q: How do 'empty' and 'hollow' relate to one another, in the sense of 'nugatory'?

Both empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness. // an empty attempt at reconciliation // a hollow victory

Q: In what contexts can 'idle' take the place of 'nugatory'?

While in some cases nearly identical to nugatory , idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect. // idle speculations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'otiose' instead of 'nugatory'?

The synonyms otiose and nugatory are sometimes interchangeable, but otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity. // a film without a single otiose scene

Q: When would 'vain' be a good substitute for 'nugatory'?

In some situations, the words vain and nugatory are roughly equivalent. However, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value. // vain promises

nugatory

adjective

ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of nugatory

as in null

having no legal or binding force the congressional resolution has symbolic value only, as it relates to a matter governed by the states and is thus nugatory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minor

lacking importance the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nugatory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nugatory distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of nugatory are empty, hollow, idle, otiose, and vain. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

How do empty and hollow relate to one another, in the sense of nugatory?

Both empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation

a hollow victory

In what contexts can idle take the place of nugatory?

While in some cases nearly identical to nugatory, idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When is it sensible to use otiose instead of nugatory?

The synonyms otiose and nugatory are sometimes interchangeable, but otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

When would vain be a good substitute for nugatory?

In some situations, the words vain and nugatory are roughly equivalent. However, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nugatory It could be used to rationalize stealing the pennies from a dead man’s eyes, true, even considering the nugatory value of the contemporary penny. — Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020 Yet all of these questions seem, increasingly, merely nostalgic, nugatory, in the face of the dissolution of the common solidarity of principles that had once made the liberation happen. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 June 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nugatory

Adjective

For one, null results—in this case, findings that are not unusual or revelatory—are still useful.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
However, in the face of an increasing number of null results, most notably in studies published in late 2025, most physicists now agree that this sterile neutrino doesn’t exist.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of null

Adjective

That individual, who is a club employee, suffered a minor head injury and refused medical attention at the scene, fire officials said.

— Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Counter said the Bruin’s fire-alarm system is currently monitored, its emergency generator will be tested in the coming weeks, and several minor plumbing issues are being addressed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Smith added that the trial occurred right around the time a new rule regarding peremptory challenges — motions by either side that exclude a juror — went into effect, making several reasons given by prosecutors to challenge a juror invalid.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
After those dates, any approvals would become invalid or void, as if they had never been granted.

— City News Service, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of invalid

Adjective

As fans know, no world in Stranger Things is ever void, as there are always monsters lurking nearby, namely Vecna.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
That angled void lightens the mass visually, introducing shadow and depth, transforming the island from a utilitarian object into an architectural centerpiece.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of void

Adjective

Those sea views will keep you company during your workout on the little gym platform overlooking the beach.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Increased regular season importance Arguably the biggest criticism of the current 18-team format is that there was too little reward for teams who demonstrated regular season excellence.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

The referee’s visual countdown may prove worthless if the player trotting off has his back to the official, which will invariably be the case.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

Storms could be severe, with a level 2 out of 5; a slight risk is in place.

— Laura Bannon, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
However, recent August polling shows Democrats are making ground on Republicans — still within the poll's margin of error — but with Talarico having a slight edge over Paxton.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Browse Nearby Words

nudniks

nugatory

nugget

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Style

“Nugatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nugatory. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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